Arch Dis Child. Published Online First: 30 January 2006. doi:10.1136/adc.2005.084442
Original articles |
Does gastrostomy tube feeding in children with cerebral palsy increase the risk of respiratory morbidity?
1 John Radcliffe Hospital, United Kingdom
2 Watford General Hospital, United Kingdom
3 Booth Hall Childrens Hospital, United Kingdom
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: peter.sullivan{at}paediatrics.ox.ac.uk.
Accepted 18 December 2005
Abstract
Background: Children with severe neurological impairment may have significant oral motor dysfunction and are at increased risk of nutritional deficiencies, poor growth and aspiration pneumonia. Gastrostomy tube feeding is increasingly being used for nutritional support in these children.
Objective: The aim of this prospective study of 57 children with severe neurological disabilities was to examine the occurrence of respiratory morbidity before and after gastrostomy feeding tube insertion.
Study design: This study was nested in a longitudinal, prospective, uncontrolled multi-centre cohort study designed to investigate the outcomes of gastrostomy tube feeding in children with severe neurological disabilities. Parents completed a questionnaire prior to (visit 1) and 6 and 12 months (visits 2 & 3) following the gastrostomy detailing number of chest infections requiring antibiotics and/or hospital admission.
Results: Mean number of chest infections requiring antibiotics was 1.8 on visit one and 0.9 on visit 3 (p=0.07). Hospital admissions for chest infections fell significantly from 0.5 to 0.09 (p=0.04).
Conclusion: This study provides no evidence for an increase in respiratory morbidity following insertion of a feeding gastrostomy in children with cerebral palsy.
Keywords: aspiration, cerebral palsy, gastrostomy, respiratory infection
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